A quarter of customers would not use contactless over cash in the South East

Just over a quarter of consumers from the South East would not use contactless over cash. Analysis by Gorkana for Equifax.

Published:12:33Saturday 12 May 2018

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Just over a quarter of consumers from the South East (26 per cent) would not use contactless over cash, an online study has suggested.

The research by Gorkana, commissioned by credit information expert, Equifax, found that a debit or credit card with a pin number is still the preferred method of payment for 47 per cent of people in the South East, compared to 42 per cent of the UK overall.

Contactless came second (28 per cent), followed by cash (21 per cent), whilst only one per cent use their phone or wearable technology.

A total of 1,005 adults were surveyed online in February this year.

For 36 per cent, the speed of contactless is the benefit; 22 per cent said it was more convenient than making a trip to the cashpoint and 15 per cent think it’s more secure than cash.

The majority of consumers in the South East (73 per cent) are also happy with the current £30 contactless payment limit. However, 12 per cent would like to see it increased.

By comparison, London consumers top the table, with 21 per cent wanting to see an increase in the contactless limit.

Uncertainty about security could be one of the reasons that customers are holding back on contactless usage.

Lisa Hardstaff, credit information expert at Equifax, said: “Many people are benefitting from the convenience and speed of contactless. £3,913.3 million was spent in the UK in April using a contactless card, an increase of 147.6% on the previous year.

“But it could be the fear of fraud if they lose their card, or concerns about keeping track of payments that could be holding some consumers back.

“We offer consumers useful guidance in our Knowledge Centre about how to make the most of this exciting new payment technology.

“But the bottom line is, as new technology makes it easier and more convenient to spend, consumers need to step up the care they take over where they keep their cards, and how they are used.